Journal of the Optical Society of America B

Laser cooling and electromagnetic trapping of neutral atoms

William D. Phillips, John V. Prodan, Harold J. Metcalf

Published Nov 1, 1985• 175 citations

Abstract

Atoms in a thermal beam can be cooled, decelerated, and stopped using the radiation pressure from a nearly resonant laser beam. Several groups have already used this laser-cooling process on an atomic sodium beam. The techniques and results of the various experimental groups are reviewed, and applications of laser-cooled atoms, in particular the possibility of confining them in electromagnetic traps, are discussed.

DOI: 10.1364/josab.2.001751

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